Concerto: One Night in Central Park (2011)

I had to watch it twice to fully let the show sink in as this is a longer and more vocally demanding show compared to his previous Vivere. Some pretty complex opera songs are performed, so take your time to digest this.

Opera buffs would be pleased as Concerto's Act 1 shews more towards classics from Verdi and Puccini with help from guests Bryn Terfel, Ana Maria Martinez, Pretty Yende and the New York Philharmonic.

Act 2 trots out the pop classics such as More with Chris Botti, The Prayer with Celine Dion and New York, New York with Tony Bennett. Andrea Griminelli does a really buzzing The Flight Of The Bumblebee on flute. Italian favourites such as Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu (Volare) also got the raincoat clad crowd swinging. It closes with the signature Time To Say Goodbye and then Andrea does the soaring Nessun Dorma from Puccini's Turandot, bringing the show to an explosive climax!

Concerto brings back the wonderful memory of Andrea's show on 8 May 2010 held at Singapore's Botanic Gardens. Special guests include soprano Sabina Cvilak, flutist Anrea Griminelli and singer Delta Goodrem. Eugene Kohn conducted Singapore's Philharmonic Orchestra. Organised by Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh, MD of Malaysia's YTL Corp, tickets are free and audience members are picked through ballot. I could not get the tickets to see Andrea directly and had to settle for tickets to see him via video screen. But audiences are treated to complimentary Kentucky Fried Chicken meals and ice cream. The souvenir bag had a programme, a 3 Tenors DVD, raincoats and bottled water among many other things. A truly unforgettable evening!

I highly recommend this DVD. I have other DVD and CD's by him and none have disapointed me. The songs and guests have always been great.

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I can not believe that no one has written a review on this CD! Man, you can just

close your eyes and make believe that Andrea is singing every word to you! His voice

is magnificent, his co-singers are awesome and David Foster is just as perfect as he

always is! This music should be played for every child in pre K to understand the world

has music that is worth more than one lifetime!

Andrea..........I love you and your music!

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It is great to be able to enjoy this wonderful concert over and over again. I would recommend it to all who like music.

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This is a great show, but it has a little too much opera for us. If you like opera, you'll love this; His best stuff for most Americans would be 'Live in Tuscany' or 'Under the Desert Sky' out by Lake Las Vegas. Those two I think are his best, but this one is right up there with them if you like opera.

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Speed Racer (2008)

I can understand why some people might dislike this movie (just look at its box-office) but the one undeniable fact is that it perfectly captures the spirit of the TV show which was never really associated with profound human feelings. It's amazing how everyone involved in it simply decided to give it their all. Just look at the conviction with which Susan Sarandon and John Goodman recited lines that clearly feel out of a cartoon. Usually I hate movies with quick cuts and gratuitous CG effects and SPEED RACER is 135 minutes of quick cuts and CG so I guess nostalgia goes a long way. I was so glad they included the sound effect of the Mach 5 jumping over and over again. My only real complaint about the movie is that there was a little bit too much of the chimp for my taste.

I can't blame anyone for complaining on leaving the theater with a headache. The world outside the theater I saw SPEED RACER in looked so slow once the movie ended, this is one exhausting film but certainly worth it.

Recently it seems like cartoon and comic books are about the only thing that gets made into blockbuster movies. While Transformers made the robots look like real living hulks of metal in the real world, and there's just no telling what the proposed Robotech movie will look like if it ever actually comes out, Speed Racer takes what is becoming the rather unpopular method of visual style. If you've seen Sky Captain and the world of tomorrow, you're familiar with it. Everything has a computer-adjusted color look to it, a super-crisp, super-sharp look reminiscent of the stop-motion films of yesteryear. And like those films that made the 80's so much fun for fantasy and sci-fi fans, Speed Racer features fantastic landscapes like nothing else on Earth (only now they are computer-generated instead of hand-painted).

The story of Speed Racer the movie actually exactly the same as the old cartoon show of the 1960's. Speed Racer (yeah, that's actually his name) is an aspiring race car driver looking to become the best and win races, with Pop's company supplying the car and mechanic, and his mom, little brother Spritle, girlfriend Trixie and family pet chimp for support. Corporate thugs notice and try to either destroy, bankrupt, or otherwise make trouble for Racer Motors, and Speed teams up with Racer X (who may or may not be his presumed dead brother Rex), Inspector Detector, and a few friends he meets along the way, to bring down the bad guys and save the day. Yeah, nothing too complex story-wise, but hey, that's why you loved the cartoon show, right?

Everything a Cartoon Should Be

When I first heard there was going to be a Speed Racer movie by the makers of the Matrix, I was worried. Animated features and video games don't really have a good history as feature films. But after seeing Speed Racer in the theater five times, I have to admit, they got it pretty much perfect. The trick with making a cartoon movie live action, and intentionally making it look cartoony, is that you have to push everything into a consistent cartoon universe and have it make sense in it's context. In other words, you have to make things exaggerated, but not the point of total impossibility in the world you have created. You see in the Speed Racer world, cars have insane power, traction, control, and speed. So when you see the Mach 5 speeding around corners in insane power-slides, yeah it looks like a cartoon, but you accept it as actually happening in that cartoon. It never looks out of place. When the engine roars and cars explode into flames it isn't silly, it's movie magic of the best kind, like when Luke's X-Wing lands that shot into the Death Star in Star Wars.

It's hard to describe without actually seeing it for yourself, but the cartoon universe of Speed Racer really is created wonderfully in this film. Everything from the sky to the furniture has an over-exposed super-vivid quality to it, like a technicolor gone mad. There is CGI backgrounds galore, but they jive perfectly with that universe as well, because everyone is wearing super-bright colors as well, and everything is always in razor sharp focus. Actually, this may be the movie to make me upgrade to a Blue Ray player, because it has to be the ultimate benchmark for color, contrast, and sharpness for a long time to come.

The world of Speed Racer is amazing enough, but the way that the film is acted, shot, directed, and scored musically is what combines to make it a 10 out of 10. For starters, everyone is just so INTO their roles. Susan Sarandon as Mom and John Goodman as Pop Racer are both absolutely perfect, managing to become those stereotypical cartoon caricatures and at the same never come across as cheesy, over-the-top or unrealistic. Again, in the context of the film, they are part of the Universe. Pop talks to Speed like he really is his son, mom gives a heart-warming speech about how proud she is of Speed that really gets to you if you know what it's like to love your family. Never does anyone betray even slightly that they think their names are ridiculous or that they are saying silly lines. EVERYONE gives their lines like they are absolutely real. And if you're making a Star Wars or a Speed Racer, that makes the movie in the end. Everyone was great. From the mechanic and the little brother (a lot less annoying than the Spritle of the cartoon) to the absolutely gorgeous and incredibly cute-looking Trixie played to perfection by Christina Ricci (where the heck has she been and why now of all times did she decide to play a sweet, loveable babe instead of all those crazy weird Gothic-horror type roles?), you gotta love them all. I especially was overjoyed by how well Racer X was portrayed with icy stoicism. Just wonderful.

The near constant use of deep focus photography and other camera techniques, combined with tons of digital screen wipes and other minor tricks, results in an incredibly slick presentation that cascades past the screen like panels of a comic book in glorious living color. The comedy and dramatic buttons are always pushed to great effect, all while keeping things from getting too far from the light-hearted entertainment that Speed Racer should be. And when the orchestral remix of the Speed Racer theme kicks in, it's just magic.

You really can't expect much more from this movie than it already is. It's true to the spirit of Speed Racer, the characters are all acted perfectly, the story is classic, there are tons of great moments and Speed Racer tributes (like Speed's wearing his trademark blue shirt and red handkerchief and his classic pose when he jumps from the Mach 5, or the sound effect made every time the Mach 5's jump jacks are used). Speed Racer may not be perfect. The villains feel more Hanna Barbara than Speed Racer, the sprinkling of swear-words (and Spritle giving someone the finger?) really don't jive in the kid-friendly Speed Racer universe, and the visual style of this film is definitely not for everyone. But...

If you're like me and love comic books, video games, and anime, if you like to watch old shows just as much as new ones, if crazy CGI and a movie shot entirely with blue-screens makes you smile, and the Speed Racer theme kicking in full-blast just as Speed makes a triumphant comeback makes you cheer... this is the movie for you!

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"When I watch you do some of the things you do," says Susan Sarandon in the Wachowski Brothers' "Speed Racer," "you take my breath away." This line pretty much sums up how I felt about the movie. "Speed Racer" is an absolute visual masterpiece, retooling the look of anime into an exciting, hyper-realized world of vibrant creativity. Every shot is like a cartoon brought to life, the neutral shades of the real world replaced with bold shades of red, blue, green, yellow, purple, and orange. It doesn't present us with a vision of the future so much as it presents an alternate reality, where racing tracks and cars defy gravity. Here's a film you have to see more than once for the imagery alone, because chances are you'll miss more than a few details along the way--every square inch of the screen is packed with visual delights almost all throughout. It isn't often you come across a movie this stunning, this lively, and this fun.

Based on the 1960s cartoon series created by Tatsuo Yoshida, "Speed Racer" puts it foot on the gas as soon as the Warner Bros. logo appears, interweaving the title character's back story with a heart-pounding race. Even as a young boy, Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) has known nothing other than automobile racing; now as a professional racer himself, Speed is haunted by the death of his big brother, Rex (Scott Porter), a racing superstar who crashed eight years ago on a cross-country rally. The public believed that corporate sponsorship changed Rex into a money-grubbing backstabber, forcing him to turn his back on racing altogether. Naturally, Speed and his family are now completely against sponsorships of any kind, especially his father, appropriately named Pops (John Goodman). For this family, it's about racing, not money.

Here enters Royalton (Roger Allam), a slick corporate mogul who tempts Speed with the fame and fortune associated with being sponsored. In essence, Royalton wants Speed to sell his soul, much like Rex sold his. Despite an impressive city suite and the top-of-the-line cars manufactured in a highly efficient factory, Speed refuses to make a deal. Royalton angrily lets him in on a little secret: Car races are always fixed because, contrary to what Speed was raised to believe, making money is what racing is all about. With the help of his girlfriend, Trixie (Christina Ricci), and a mysterious masked man known only as Racer X (Matthew Fox), Speed infiltrates a number of races in an attempt to destroy Royalton's reputation as well as the need for corporate sponsorship. This won't be so easy, though; numerous factions are in cahoots with one another, all of which connect with Royalton to some degree.

If this sounds absolutely ridiculous, keep in mind that plot is not what "Speed Racer" depends on. This movie thrives on imaginative digital effects and spectacular racing sequences, all of which rely on lightening-quick edits and creative camera tricks for maximum entertainment. In this completely fantasy world, racecourses look like oversized Hot Wheels tracks, with sharp inclined curves, completely vertical drops, gaps to jump, and a variety of loops. Speed and his beloved car--the Mach 5--navigate these roller coaster-like twists and turns with ease and accuracy, as one would expect from a cartoon adaptation. Cityscapes are colossal, brightly colored, and sterile, looking much like the Worlds of Tomorrow depicted in science fiction pulp magazines. The sunny sky is a deep, rich shade of light blue, and it's accented with puffball clouds that are pure white. On DVD, one could easily pause a frame of this film and stare at it for hours while absorbing every single detail.

Just as impressive are the side characters, all of which add a little something to the story. Speed's youngest brother, Spritle (Paulie Litt), is a loveable scamp who often stows away in the trunk of the Mach 5. Always at his side is Chim Chim, his beloved pet chimp; together, they act as the film's comedy relief. Speed's mother (Susan Sarandon) is a caring woman who can weld car parts after making a mean stack of pancakes. The family mechanic, Sparky (Kick Gurry), absolutely shines during a wonderfully cartoonish martial arts sequence, one that makes you laugh just as much as it makes you cheer.

In a nutshell, "Speed Racer" has set a new standard for digital filmmaking, a standard previously set by brilliant films such as "Sin City" and "300." It's sure to snag Oscar nominations for visual effects, costumes, and cinematography, as well it should; watching this movie is an exhilarating experience, a perfect mixture of hard-driving action, childish whimsy, and visual creativity. The abundant imagery acts as a counterpart to Michael Giacchino's score, a cheerful opus that adapts the original theme song "Go Speed Racer Go." But all this wouldn't have worked without the actors, all of which were perfectly cast. Hirsch makes the title character both determined and vulnerable. Ricci gives Trixie a wide-eyed innocence that I absolutely loved. Allam is deliciously evil as Royalton, a sniveling, conniving villain you just love to hate. Sarandon and Goodman are convincingly down-to-earth as the parents of a racecar driver. And I have to give a lot of credit to young Paulie Litt, who not only delivered some of the film's best lines, but also played his part in the spirit of good fun. "Speed Racer" was all in good fun, definitely one of the year's most entertaining films.

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Note to reader: Strange vote totals, yes? It's just the work of a cyber stalker--

Wow, what a start to our summer adventures!!

"Speed Racer" the movie and "Go Speed Racer Go," the single title song by Ali Dee and the Deekompressors, had us hip hopping out the theater door, down the sidewalk, and into the car, then jumping and spinning along, singing "Go Speed Racer Go." They (the Pretend Children) were singing to me, the great aunt, because I was whirling and jolting in my Pretend Mach 8 Ford Escape down the freeway home. Hey, I was down for that movie.

Watching the spinning images, neon lighted, anime-inspired, digitally produced, toons-like panels with insertion of real people in the mix was a visual feast and imminent barf all in one. Dizzying. Spiraling. Flipping. Neon lights (more). Crashing. Just to suggest the mental images of the race scenes. During a couple of close-up montages of the cars before digitizing began, I glimpsed real-time, real-life tiny model cars (my great-nephew has a huge collection). And in some of the martial arts fight-stop-go scenes, especially one with John Goodman, I was slooshed with a moment of a set-up of Goodman just standing there ready to squash the ninja before digitized action thrust him into zoom speed action.

(Actually, if I had never digitally filmed my own video, I might not have recognized those scenes, but I have and I did. Did it take away from the movie? No way. Actually, I felt privy to a second of movie making magic.)

As for acting, I was awed by everyone, especially the coolly suave Emile Hirsch (looking like a young Charlie Sheen) as Speed Racer; Christina Ricci, who I was sure was really Susan Sarandon's daughter with those big eyes and similar facial expressions; Roger Allam, as the big corporate villain, who played a Michael Caine-like villain almost as well as Caine does himself; John Goodman, who played, well, Goodman as Pops, Speed's father. Stealer of every scene in which he appeared was young Paulie Litt, Speed's little brother, who I was definitely sure was Goodman's real life son because the resemblance was so uncanny.

The story line was so complicated and told in such a complicated, back and forth manner, both narratively and visually (you'll have to see the movie to understand as this is a new kind of movie making and story telling, sort of magic realism on screen), that I was certain the Pretend Children would not understand. I quizzed them as I was hip hopping down the street to the car, while the boy was laughing and beseeching me not to embarrass him. I stopped. Their answers indicated complete understanding. Either I have little geniuses or the movie told its story in a less complicated manner than I first believed.

Is "Speed Racer" a good movie from a 9-year-old's standpoint? "I've had two good things happen two days in a row," he said. "I went to Chuck E. Cheese's yesterday and today I saw "Speed Racer."

You decide.

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I wish American movie viewers would have given speedracer a chance. With a dismal 44 million dollar domestic gross, there is much little hope for a second film which needs to be told. To be honest, speed racer took race car films to the ground breaking next level, just as The Matrix did for Science Fiction. Both the Matrix, and Speedracer had me the viewer emotionally envolved, and dazed by the visual effects. We are lucky to have the unique young tallent of Emile Hirsch portraying the role of Speed. And if Suzan Surandon is willing to play the role of Speeds mother, obviously the screenplay had much depth which most action films lack. Last note to all Bluray owners, don't bother renting Speedracer, just buy it. It is a good quality film, and it is going to look amaizing on your HD t.v.

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Watchmen: Ultimate Cut + Graphic Novel (BD) (2009)

The director's cut runs about 25 minutes longer, and incorporates more elements from the comics, adds more violence, as well as more shots of Dr. Manhatten's schlong. Some of the previous scenes are reworked with additional dialogue. Information has been supported by sites such as AICN etc.

Overall, the storyline and conversations are better fleshed out, and this version is truer to the comics. The largest additional addition is that of Hollis Mason's death, which is spectacularly directed to the score of the Intermezzo from the opera Cavalleria Rusticana (think Godfather III).

(1) Rorschach gets additional dialogue, some straight from the comics.

(2) When Rorschach searches the Comedian's apartment shortly after the opening scene, he encounters two cops still stationed there. He fights briefly with them before jumping back out the window.

(3) Conversation between Dan and Rorschach (beans scene) is extended.

(4) All flashbacks extended, with the exception of Sally's.

(5) Dr. Manhatten discussing the symbol on his forehead. Additional questions in the face to face with Dr. Manhatten. Dan and Hollis watch Dr. Manhatten go crazy on their TV set.

(6) Laurie getting interrogated by the military as they try to determine Dr. M's whereabouts (on Mars). Alessandro Juliani's (Lt. Gaeta from Battlestar Galactica) scene has been reinserted. He plays one of the scientists who bursts in during the interrogation of Laurie to tell the military that they've located Dr. M on Mars.

(7) Probably the biggest addition is the depiction of Hollis Mason's death at the hands of the knot heads. Interestingly, the death is done from poor Hollis' POV, where he imagines himself fighting the gangsters of the 1940s. He delivers left and right hooks to Captain Evil, before being done in by "Moloch". The score for the death scene is very fitting.

(8) Dan taking revenge on an isolated knot head at a bar, post Hollis' death. It's a brutal revenge.

(9) The shootout by hired hitman Roy Chess is much more brutale.g. more blood and gore, fingers blown off.

(10) Conversation between Dr. Long and Rorschach is extended.

(11) Longer jail-break scene with arguments between Rorschach and Laurie. Prison guards open fire on Dan's ship.

(12) Longer conversation between Dr. M and L on Mars.

(13) Riot scene is longer with more conversation between the Comedian and the rioters.

(14) Agent Forbes (Fulvio Cecere) has a larger role as the government agent in charge of handling all the Watchmen.

This is THE version to get. It feels complete.

Finally, Zac Synder's vision as it was meant to be. I can't believe they milked the DVD release for literally ever last penny they could. Nevertheless, I am incredibly pleased to own 'Watchmen: the Ultimate Cut'.

The Set Includes:

Disc 1

Watchmen, the Ultimate Cut (1080p/VC-1 Transfer, 215min)

Commentary from Zac Snyder and Dave Gibbons (Explains everything from prop inspirations to plot alterations)

BD Live

Disc 2

The Phenomenon: The Comic That Changed Comics (HD 25min)

Real Super Heroes, Real Vigilantes (HD 26min)

Mechanics: Technologies of a Fantastic World (HD 17min)

Watchmen: Video Journals (HD 36mmin)

Under the Hood (HD 38min)

Story Within a Story: The Books of Watchmen (HD 36min)

My Chemical Romance, 'Desolation Row' Music Video (HD, 3min)

Disc 3

Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comics (1080p/VC-1 Transfer, 325).

Watchmen Video Journal, Dave Gibbons (HD 3min)

Wonder Woman Sneak Peak (SD 10min)

Disc 4

Bonus Digital Copy (Not Blu-ray)Digital Copy of the Theatrical Version. (Not Blu-Ray, Expires November 2010)

WARNING:

Disc 1 does not include 'Watchmen' WITHOUT 'the Black Freighter' integrated. The digital copy may somewhat compensate for this, but if you're still not satisfied, you'll have to purchase the 'Director's Cut' and 'the Black Freighter' separetely.

'The Ultimate Cut':

With 'The Black Freighter' interwoven into segments throughout the film, it extends the movie to over three and a half hours long and fills in the missing pieces from the graphic novel along with a few other small live-action scenes, that weren't in the 'Director's Cut' and that bookend the 'comic within a comic', making it all the more magnificently epic and unique. And the extra material is massive, analytic and comprehensive, which is only fair to the fans, who feel milked and cheated, or who just love the 'Watchmen'.

'The Black Freighter' is a grim tale that parallels the lives of different Watchmen, particularly Veidt's and Rorschach's, and their compulsion to fight evil everywhere they think they find it, blinded to the consequences of their actions. Tremendously beautiful yet raw and simplistic animation and the voice of Gerald Butler, bring this intriguing and fan-favorite aspect of the story to life, but it's the effective and pragmatic interweaving of it, that reflects on the Watchmen and stays true to the original source.

In order to match the significance and caliber of the graphic novel, the cinematic version had to embody every thematic nuance and concept behind the 'Watchmen', yet still understand itself as a medium and push the limits of it's own boundaries. And if the 'Theatrical Cut' didn't than that's exactly what the 'Ultimate Cut' does.

The notion of a fluid time-line, explored by Dr. Manhattan's character and the story's complex degree of structuralism is as prevalent as ever. The dark realities of nuclear weapons and humanity's abuse of great power are portrayed in the film through the superhero genre as effectively as they are in Moore's literary masterpiece. The alternative chronology of Cold-War America, defined mostly by the social acceptance of costumed vigilantes, the existence of a superhuman, victory in Vietnam, an endless Nixon presidency and proliferating social rot, reflects upon actual history with profound relevance and cleverly parodies it as well. The cast of talented but unfamilair actors embraces the moral, emotional and psychological aspects of their characters, and the 'Watchmen' universe is equally fleshed out with over 200 elaborate and painstakingly detailed movie sets, that are literally straight out of the comic.

Inevitably, the plot is altered but constructed in a possibly more coherent manner, due to the controversial but practical trade of the bio-engineered squid fore an even more diabolical scheme to frame Dr. Manhattan. Also somewhat diverting from the novel, Snyder pays homage to the 80's inserting a few of his own era-specific grace notes via time-capsule references to Lee Iacocca and "The McLaughlin Group, the film's Reagan generation-friendly soundtrack, head-nods to films like 'Brazil' and 'Apocalypse Now, and capturing the fear and uncertainty felt during the Cold War .

The films depiction of brutality transcends the standard Hollywood repertory of effects; it is more like a cause, a principle.. an ideology. Snyder's marriage to violence exposes the shallow nihilism lurking beneath the intellectual and sophisticated pretensions of 'Watchmen'.

'Watchmen' is a post-modern tale about costumed vigilantes with complicated and true-to-life psychological profiles and a man with god-like earth-shaking powers, trying to function in a world without hope , and it was said to have been impossible to film. Some tried, and failed before they even began. It's probably a miracle it took decades to make the movie, Zac Snyder was the right man to do it.

The film is uncompromising, uncommercial, and unprecedented. It's the 'Watchmen' movie you always wanted, but never thought you'd get, but now, even more so. All the gritty crime-noir, political satire, superhero mythology and science fiction is still there, so unless you forgot or missed the most ambitious, most reverent, most obsessively faithful (to a point) cinematic adaptation of a graphic novel ever and all the stunning and innovative movie magic and gore-porn that went with it, then there won't be much else new for you to get your hopes up for.

O, except maybe for the 3 additional discs with extra material. The Box it comes in, is pretty snazzy and durable too.

I love 'Watchmen: the Ultimate Cut'. I'm glad I bought it. If you're a fan of the 'Watchmen', and need the complete version of the film, then you'll love it and be glad you bought it too.

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This edition is an improvement over the theatrical release and is closer to the book. My only disappointment related to this edition was that I opened the package to find a coupon for the ULTIMATE edition, which is to be released Decemberish. The next (and I hope final) version will have the Black Freighter story woven into the main story as it is in the book. If you don't want multiple versions of this film, hold off buying until the end of the year.

I agree with the other reviewers who note the film's ending is an improvement over the book's. It just makes more sense in the context of the story. This is not a knock on Mr. Moore, of whom I am a big fan.

I don't understand the folks who are so down on this film, unless it is that they just had the wrong expectations and/or didn't do their homework before watching it. It was never meant to be another Spiderman, Superman or Hulk story.

Kudos to Mr. Moore. Kudos for the team who produced this film.

Read Best Reviews of Watchmen: Ultimate Cut + Graphic Novel (BD) (2009) Here

This is just to point out something not mentioned in the description. As you know, this comes with an exclusive Nite Owl Ship.

First, it looks cool. Nice details, looks 'properly used'. But here's the thing. After I unpacked it I noticed a slip of paper at the bottom of the box. It described how to replace the batteries in the Nite Owl Ship. Wait... BATTERIES?

So I then discovered the ship is made to easily come off it's stand. Under it there is a battery compartment. It requires a small Phillips head to open. I opened it to confirm... yup a battery compartment with two batteries!

But for the life of me I could not figure out what the Nite Owl Ship was suppose to do! I saw no switch. So I even tried talking to it... nope, no voice recognition.

*** spoiler **

Finally... I figured out the top plate (circular on the very top) is a hidden switch! You press it... and it lights up (detail lights and bright main front lights)! And, for about 5-10 seconds... it makes the SOUNDS of the Nite Owl Ship flying around! The lights stay on until you press the hidden switch again...

This ended up being much more than advertised! :)

And of course the movie is great... but you already know that (or else what the heck are you reading this for)!!!

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Geez, it looks like in April we will be getting the official "Watchmen: The 'This is really the final cut, I'm serious guys' Cut". Or so I thought. I am a huge fan of the Watchmen universeI read the graphic novel twice, I saw the movie on opening night at the theatre, I bought the Director's Cut on Blu-Ray when it got released. Then I went and bought this when it got released. Greed getting the best of me, I think so.

I was pretty damn amazed when I saw it in the theater. Then when I got it on Blu-Ray, I felt like I had seen a totally different movie (in a good way) with it being the director's cutIt had better pacing, an extra 23 minutes to tie the loose ends, and in the end it was a satisfaction. And then I got this.

For one, the packaging is nice and lovely to hold and look at, and to disassemble it is exciting too, just like when the director's cut of Sin City got released back in 2005, which came with the graphic novel, which was a nice little classy touch. However, in terms of content, this is nothing new. It is essentially the director's cut with "Tales of the Black Freighter" shoved in there.

The problem with it is that it's just unnecessary. TOTBF does nothing but just extends its length, and not in a good way. The movie was already long enough with the 3 hour 6 minute Director's cut. The runtime of the Ultimate Cut is 212 minutes, almost an hour longer than the theatre cut. And the TOTBF just creates an awkward transition from the movie scenes to the animated scenes. Every time the TOTBF scenes come in, they take you out of the movie, thus makeing it hard to enjoy.

Another problem is that the TOTBF scenes ruin any ambiguity there is to Veidt's plan. It basically tells whoever hasn't seen the movie and is watching it for the first time that Veidt's plan is doomed to failthat he will murder 15 million people and try to cover it up by making Dr. Manhattan look responsible. It also tries to spoonfeed the "good versus evil" cliche to kids under 12 watching the movie. Rorschach good! Veidt bad! The comic let you decide who's good/bad, yet the UC spoonfeeds it to you.

Picture quality is amazing (and I am speaking for both the DC and the UC here since they both have the same picture quality); I remember when The Dark Knight came out on blu-ray and people were oh-so-swayed by its supposedly amazing picture quality yet I couldn't get my mind past the failed attempts to recapture the IMAX scenes, the distracting edge enhancement and the shifting F-stop in some scenes. Whereas Watchmen looks vintage and sharpa lovely film grain enhances the 80s feel of the movie, the colors are really vibrant (especially in the Dr. Manhattan scenes and Laurie's coat in the "Forest room" interrogation scenes). The Audio is fantastic toothough not different than the DC.

In short, it is worth purchasing, but for the packaging only.

Risky Business (2008)

I think most people who buy/rent this DVD have already seen the movie and know what they're getting. There are a lot of good reviews on this movie here at amazon.com but I only saw one that mentioned the quality of the DVD. It is absolutely horrible. The companies who produce these dark, grainy DVDs need to know that the consumers aren't going to accept this type of low-quality transfer. I'd gladly pay a bit more money for a DVD that's viewable. We know how good movies can look on DVD. So why release a disc that looks as poor as this one? As consumers we need to demand better! Just as VHS movies recorded in SLP or EP were unacceptable, so are DVDs that look as bad as this Risky Business disc.

"Risky Business" is without a doubt one of the classics from the 80's which I've continued to enjoy many times. This is simply a great movie with convincing acting, superb music, good script and believable characters. While the plot isn't anything too original, the above mentioned qualities make this movie fun to watch. Tom Cruise, having the house to himself while his parents are away, carries out the fantasy of just about every adolescent male by basically turning his home into a party haven with the inevitable consequences that follow. Rebecca De Mornay (it should be illegal to look that good in a pair of tight jeans!) plays a prostitute that becomes Cruise's "partner" in the scheme of things and Joe Pantoliano plays her sleazy pimp and does a great job in his role.

One thing that stands out about "Risky Business" is that while technically a comedy, the tone is often dark in terms of sequence of events and the eerie (yet great) instrumental music that pretty much makes up the soundtrack. While others might not really like this, I think it makes the movie stand out and avoid the over-the-top silliness that have caused many 80's comedies to become dated by today's standards. Don't get me wrong, I love those 80's movies, but "Risky Business" has a certain quality to it that takes on a more serious tone while also maintaining the fun element.

And finally, I have to say that the DVD transfer is absolutely horrific. Extras are virtually non-existent and image/sound quality is abysmal. 2003 has come and almost gone, so by now it's pointless to hope for a 20th Anniversary Special Edition DVD. So if you intend to buy this get it on VHS. I can't see why anyone would want the DVD other than for longevity's sake.

Buy Risky Business (2008) Now

FYI disc comes with a digital copy, but the confirmation/serial code expired in Sept. of 2009.

Otherwise, the movie looks great on BD; clearly much money was saved on the production budget by not buying any bras for Rebecca DeMornay.

Read Best Reviews of Risky Business (2008) Here

Rarely will you find a video store without RISKY BUSINESS. Not only is it a contemporary classic, but it was also Tom Cruise's breakthrough film and a major hit. While reputed to be a very good movie, upon watching it, I found it to be something else. It's an excellent movie.

Tom Cruise plays Joel Goodson, a high-school kid who is just that a good son. He's responsible, careful, and trusted. But when his parents leave town for the week, Joel decides to loosen up but after he nervously invites call girl Lana (Rebecca De Mornay) into his house, everyone goes horridly wrong. With only a few days left to go, Joel must raise his grades, make $8,000, get back stolen furniture, and escape from the clutches of Guino (Joe Pontoliano), the killer pimp. Work is hell. And Joel knows it.

This movie is great. It wildly exceeded by expectations, and is much better than it's said to be. Cruise is great the fact that RISKY BUSINESS is Cruise's first major film is enough to make it worth the watch, anyway; De Mornay is also very good. Paul Brickman's direction has a sort of artistic feeling to it (he also scripted); he has a unique way of creating a film that's funny, erotic, and occasionally suspenseful.

Another wonderful aspect of the film is its terrific soundtrack. It features rockin' songs from such popular artists as The Police, Bob Seger, Talking Heads, Muddy Waters, Phil Collins, and Prince. It also features new music by the hit-making band Tangerine Dream, whose techno, futuristic-sounding score gives the movie an occasionally nightmarish, occasionally unpleasant mood to it and, of course, the film is about every teenager's nightmares come true.

All in all, RISKY BUSINESS is essential viewing from the 1980's, and it works just as well now as it did then. Tom Cruise's first hit, a terrific soundtrack, and a cult classic this is RISKY BUSINESS.

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(2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)This 1983 film that launched the career of Tom Cruise proves its relative timelessness by entertaining audiences even today. Mediocre student and always-obedient son Joel (Cruise) is left alone in his upscale suburban house when his parents take a vacation. It's Joel's senior year in high school and it appears that the only highlight is going to be a boring project for the Young Enterpriser Club contest. When his friend Miles (Curtis Armstong) forces his hand to take a chance, Joel is thrown into an out-of-control scenario involving the charming prostitute Lana (Rebecca de Mornay), her enterprising friends, an irate pimp named Guido (Joe Pantoliano), and a high school full of unfilled but hormonally charged teenage boys. Throw in Joel's father's Porsche, an application to Princeton, and the all-important midterms that Joel is in danger of failing and you've got a fast-paced, hilarious flick of adolescence out of control.

Unlike today's teen movies, "Risky Business" is not preoccupied with sophomoric humor and gratuitous foul language. It's too smart a screenplay for that. Instead, it focuses on the humor of a good boy gone temporarily bad, and how one small act of rebellion changes everything. At times, the film tries to be artsy with its gimmicky camera shots, direction, and editing, thus dating the film more than the costumes and screenplay do, but overall it succeeds. The music is great, particularly for those who remember the times.

Dust off your memories and revisit this fun flick. If you've never seen it, you should, if for no other reason than for seeing why Tom Cruise and Rebecca de Mornay rocketed to fame following its release.

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Ben-Hur / The Ten Commandments (2013)

The sound is 5.1 on these films. Spanish/English/French;

subtitles as well.

The aspect ratio of these films is rather narrow, and

will be hard to see unless you have at least a 40" set.

Each film is presented on two discs -split at the normal

theatrical intermission points. That's four discs, total.

Enjoy!

Here we have it Two of the greatest cinematic masterpieces (starring the legendary Charlton Heston) in one blu-ray set! With rich scripting and eye popping color and definition that's razor sharp, this is a nice acquisition for those who desire to just have the films without a whole lot of bells and whistles.

Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd were perfectly cast in their roles of William Wyler's Oscar-winning film BEN-HUR as "Judah Ben-Hur" and "Massala" childhood friends who in adulthood find themselves each possessing opposing political viewpoints that will ultimately test their long standing friendship. BEN HUR is rich in scripting in it's portrayal of human attributes that encompasses just about every facet of emotion that the human spirit can feel or would be forced/challenged to deal with. This movie has it all: Prosperity, Sickness, Jealousy, Dissention, Grief, Bitterness, Anguish, Vengence, Humility, Forgiveness and ultimately Restoration. Not lost on the viewing audience is screen beauty Haya Harareet's absolutley fabulous character acting as "Esther", Ben-Hur's love interest, as she literally watches (with grief and anguish) the man she loves descend into bitterness and anger having been betrayed by his long time friend "Massala".

The second feature is, of course, Cecille B. DeMille's 1956 film of the biblical account of Moses and the parting of the Red Sea, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS starring Charlton Heston as "Moses" and Yul Brynner as "Rameses" which looks just as razor sharp in it's presentation. In the 'big picture' there is really something special here and it represents more than just a transfer to blu-ray.

It is no small secret that the film stock of tens of thousands of old Hollywood classic and vintage films has/is literally crumbling in the vaults and are in desperate need of restoration before they are lost forever. Because of this, it gives me a heart of joy and greatfulness to think that great care and effort is being given (where possible) to meticulously restore the 'classics', as well as many vintage films, so that we will have a legacy of our American film heritage that will be preserved for future generations to come. The first class restoration of these two films are beautiful examples of this process.

Enjoy these lavishly restored presentations they are a visual feast for the eyes!

Closed Captioning (via Subtitles) are included for the hearing impaired.

BEN-HUR SPECIAL FEATURES

1. Commentary by film historian T. Gene Hatcher with Charlton Heston

2. Music-only track showcasing Miklos Rozsa's Award winning score

3. Theatrical Trailers

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS SPECIAL FEATURE

1. Commentary by Kathrine Orrison, Author of "Written In Stone"

2. Making of Cecille B. DeMille's epic: The Ten Commandments

3. Newsreel: The Ten Commandments premiere in New York

4. Theatrical Trailers

Buy Ben-Hur / The Ten Commandments (2013) Now

The brilliant restoration and remastering of DeMille's Epic Masterpiece THE TEN COMMANDMENTS is one of the best if not the greatest one I have seen on high definition so far for a classic film. Working with the original Vista-Vision 35mm negative source may account for that. It even surpasses BEN-HUR's remastering that tends to carry slight deficiencies in contrast levels during some dark scenes. TEN COMMANDMENTS turned out 100% perfect. Comparable to the high quality excellence that the Walt Disney Company invests in order to restore their classic animated masterpieces to look better than they ever will in high definition. TEN COMMANDMENTS is not only the most popular Biblical epic of all time, it is the highest grossing one as well in the Biblical genre. Due to the attention to details and dedication poured into the making of this time-less classic film, it should have won Best Picture and all the major award categories below that during the 1957 AMPAS ceremonies. Charlton Heston should have received his first oscar 3 years before and then get a 2nd one in 1960 for Ben-Hur. Edward G.Robinson was perfect in his portrayal of Dathan and should have received the Best Supporting Actor award for that role. I guess Academy members back then enjoyed watching Cantinflas dangling from a balloon in Around the World in 80 Days better than being moved by the finger of God writing His Ten Commandments on granite stone atop Mount Sinai. Both masterpiece Biblical epics should not be missing as part of every home entertainment film collection.

Read Best Reviews of Ben-Hur / The Ten Commandments (2013) Here

Warner Home Video is treating 1.85:1 screen size and 16:9 (1.78:1) as equal sometimes reporting the change and at other times claiming to preserve the 1:85:1 original release ratio though they're not. This applies to at least 4 films released as 2 movie sets on March 12, 2013, but could extend to many more of their Blu-ray discs.

They're bright and they're beautiful in color and in sound, but having already purchased 3 of the four on DVD, I had my sights fixed on upgrading The Ten Commandments and Forrest Gump to HD and was lured in by the price, picking up Ben Hur and The Green Mile as movie bonuses. I started through the Hur/Commandments disks in order and so was treated to Ben Hur in its full native aspect ratio of 2.76:1. Yes that means there are black bars along the top and bottom of the screen, though less so with an HD 16:9 (1.78:1) widescreen then with an old 4:3 (1.33:1) CRT and on my large 1080P 240khz refresh, 1ms response time TV it's just wonderful.

Then I moved onto The Ten Commandments and right away I noticed that during the intro the screen was filled edge to edge and so I thought no great detriment if that short segment had been edited and I was only missing a small bit of the curtain background, but then the feature started and the screen was still filled, edge to edge.

The Ten Commandments was filmed at 1.85:1 and in all my HD purchase up until now I'd come to expect that the days of hacking up film masterpieces were long over. Not so here. I know it is a much smaller edit than it would have been for Ben Hur, but still, every time anyone watches this release, portions of the original film, to the left, to the right, or both, will always be missing. I grabbed the box and checked the back, finding that Warner had given the aspect specification for Ben Hur but omitted the specification for The Ten Commandments (no 1.85:1 callout and no warning that the content had been edited to fit a 16:9 screen)

I bought The Green Mile Forrest Gump at the same time and so I grabbed that box and saw that the Green Mile was clearly called out as 1.85:1, but just as with the Ten Commandments, Forrest Gump was only listed as having been prepared for viewing on a 1080p 16:9 set. Forrest Gump was filmed at 2.35:1, so if it had also been trimmed, that would have been a huge loss of original screen real estate.

Well, I interrupted The Ten Commandments and put on Gump and luckily it's all there, 2.35:1 with the black bars. I then pulled that one out, thinking but what about the Green Mile? If that's the same original size as the Ten Commandments, even though they've listed the unaltered aspect, could they have messed with that one too? Sure enough, hacked. The movie fills up every single pixel and is being cut of at left/right edges.

Was I judging to harshly and were other distributors starting to do the same? I grabbed newly purchased Blue-ray discs by MGM, Universal and Columbia that were also 1.85:1 originals and every one of them had the proper aspect ratio with the black top and bottom bars.

Warner had to corral other studios for the rights to package these films together so I hope they're all available from these other studios or distributors. Check the aspect ratios if you are going to buy from Warner and stay away from anything that or any other dependable reference lists as 1.85:1 unless you're a fan of pan and scan, colorizing and other after run gimmicks. I want to give the series a negative 5 stars, but 1 star is all that's allowed, sorry. I'm returning both for a refund, then maybe I'll shop for ones verified as having the proper size or just be thankful for my DVD versions.

Want Ben-Hur / The Ten Commandments (2013) Discount?

What can I say. Both films have been remastered for High-definition and neither have ever looked better. The 'Ben Hur' was mastered from a 70mm print and in HD you can tell! 'Ten Commandments' was sourced from a VistaVision print. VistaVision was a system that used 35mm film sidewayslike a 35mm still camera and that gave a frame twice the size of regular vertically shot cinema film. Needless to say that it too looks spectacular in HD.

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Rudy (+ BD Live) (1993)

My Four Star rating reflects both overall enjoyment while seeing the film (Five Stars) and occasional irritation with director Anspaugh's manipulative strategies insofar as emotions are concerned (Three Stars). The dramatic impact of Rudy Ruettiger's struggles to suit up for, if not play in a Notre Dame football game is diminished by such manipulation. That said, Sean Astin is wholly credible as Rudy. Other noteworthy performances are provided by Ned Beatty (Rudy's father, Daniel), Charles S. Dutton (Fortune), Robert Prosky (Father Cavenaugh), Jon Favreau (D-Bob), Lili Taylor (Sherry), and Scott Benjaminson (Frank). Both the "Real Rudy" and the "Reel Rudy" faced two significant barriers to being admitted to Notre Dame and then playing in a varsity football game: weak grades and diminutive size. Eventually, through tenacious study while enrolled at nearby Holy Cross College, both Rudys are finally admitted to Notre Dame; through rigorous training, both then became fit enough to be selected to play on the practice (i.e. fodder) squad. And finally, both play (the "Real Rudy" for 27 seconds) in the last home game against Georgia Tech in 1975.

Others have their own reasons for liking this film so much. Here are three of mine. First, the casting of Astin in the lead role. His performance is endearing, to be sure, but also convincing. Hence my discomfort with Anspaugh's use of gimmicks when none is necessary. Second, the exteriors shot on the Notre Dame campus which is especially lovely during each of the four seasons. I really did feel as if I were tagging along with Rudy as he attends classes, works for Fortune as a member of the stadium's groundskeeping crew, and then participates in especially brutal team practices. Third and finally, I enjoyed observing what seems to be a totally authentic respect for Rudy among the team's starters both on offense and defense. That respect was earned day in and day out, brutal practice after brutal practice, as Rudy and his battered companions helped to prepare the team for its next game. It is worth noting that Rudy Ruettiger was the only player ever to be carried off the field at Notre Dame stadium. The filmmakers recreated the scene with real fans during a break in the 1992 Boston College game. Some 60,000 fans stood and cheered as actor Sean Astin was carried off the field.

Those who enjoyed this film should also check out The Natural (1984), Hoosiers (1986), Babe (1995), Remember the Titans (2000), and Miracle (2004).

___________________________________________________________________________________

Those who are curious about the "real" and "reel" Rudy Ruettiger are encouraged to visit Here are brief excerpts:

Q: Was the groundskeeper played by Charles S. Dutton a real character?

A: Rudy answered no to this question himself during an interview with the Pigskin Post by saying the following, "He was a composite, but that was reality. And that's what happened in my life...all through my life. I would encounter people like that and they would help me get through the tough times through their wisdom and their encouragement."

Q: Was there actually a priest who helped Rudy get into Holy Cross Junior College?

A: In the same Pigskin Post interview as above, Rudy replied to this question by saying, "There were several who played important roles, but, again, you can't develop them all in one two-hour movie."

Q: Did Rudy really sleep in the maintenance room of the football stadium?

A: Rudy actually slept in a room in the basketball arena. The school had the room there for someone to stay during off-hours for insurance reasons.

Q: Was coach Dan Devine really that cold-hearted against dressing Rudy for the last home game of Rudy's college career?

A: In Devine's autobiography, Simply Devine, he writes that it was his idea to dress Rudy for the final game of his college career and also to play him. Devine says that the screenwriter, Angelo Pizzo, told him that the plot would only work if Devine became the heavy. He agreed in order to help out Rudy, someone whom he calls a friend. "I didn't realize I would be such a heavy," he writes.

I think I've seen this movie 100 times, and I have to admit that I never get tired of watching it. This DVD is obviously not for insensitive morons like the guy that gave this 1 star. But, I can tell you that if you coach sports, play in them, or are at all involved in them...you will want to buy this.

A guy said that he doesn't understand why Rudy wanted to play at Notre Dame so much? What about you? Have you never had a dream before? I understand why he did want so much to play at Notre Dame, and any other person can see that too. OK now time for my actual review of the movie:

I thought that this movie was very well-directed, and inspiring. I cried at the end of this movie, and I guarentee if you play sports you will as well. If not tears, you will get chill bumps just watching the end. It's about young man that has always wanted to play football for Notre Dame, but was always too small to. It's a long and meaningful story, but I don't want to spoil anything for you ...you have to get that experience when you see it.

Please buy this DVD. It is really a great and inspiring movie and I'm sure that you will like it.

HIGHLY RECCOMENDED

Buy Rudy (+ BD Live) (1993) Now

Rudy is based on a true story about a young boy (played by Sean Astin) growing up in a blue-collar family with a dream to someday go to college and play football at Notre Dame. His family and teachers say he's not smart enough, not athletic enough, and why doesn't he accept his fate working in the local steel mill with his father and brothers. He refused to let his dream die and becomes a walk-on player.

The original movie came out in 1993. Sean Astin was in The Lord of the Rings. Ned Beatty portrays his father. David Anspaugh is the director.

Rudy is one of my all-time favorite movies. The acting is wonderful, especially Sean Astin's performance. The fact that it is a true story kept me watching from the beginning to the end. The music score is well written and inspirational.

I would recommend Rudy to anyone, young or old, who has a dream and needs the inspiration to pursue it.

Read Best Reviews of Rudy (+ BD Live) (1993) Here

RUDY is the story of a boy chasing a dream, who in the process becomes a man. It is a plot formula that we have seen before, time and time again. So what makes RUDY stand out so much in my mind? I think what makes this film so successful is the fact that it is true to life, unlike many sports films. In your typical "underdog" film, the sports team faces another losing season, only to channel their hopes and dreams into winning the state championship, the World Cup, etc. It is a concept that is generally played out exclusively "on the field," presenting the audience with a myopic view of the world in which sports are the only thing that matters. I often wonder to myself, after seeing such a film, "What happened to them after that?" And unless we're watching THE MIGHTY DUCKS, who decide to answer the question by putting out more movies, that question is left unanswered.

RUDY is very different. Here is a story about a dream. It is not a dream to score the winning touchdown of a bowl game. It is not a dream to play professional football. It is not an unrealizable fantasy that is sloppily achieved through the magic of filmmaking. Instead, it is a simple dream: to dress for one game on the Notre Dame football team. That's it. Moreover, RUDY is not the story of a man who accomplishes his goal in one season. It takes him years of hard work and disappointment. The effect of telling such a story is epic. By the time our hero finally takes the field, the emotional intensity of that moment is much greater than in most other sports movies I've seen. I am generally not really relieved or emotional when the underdog team finally wins the match-even if "We Are the Champions" is playing in the background, asking for our tears. But I wanted to see Rudy (Sean Astin) take the field so bad, I was extremely involved in the film.

Sean Astin does an incredible job in this role and I think it is by far one of the best performances of his career. In short, if you like sports movies in which the underdog triumphs in the end, you will love RUDY. It blows the genre out of the water. Instead of focusing solely "on the field," this film focuses more on the transformation of Rudy's character and the surrounding details and experiences of his life. RUDY is definitely worth owning in your collection.

Want Rudy (+ BD Live) (1993) Discount?

From the time he was a young boy, everyone had told Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) that he was too small, too weak, and not smart enough to accomplish his ultimate goal to play football for Notre Dame. Discouraged, he shelves his dream and follows his father and brothers to work in a steel mill. Only one person, Rudy's best friend Pete, actually has faith in him. When Pete is killed in a freak accident four years later, something in Rudy is reawakened, and he realizes that if he's ever going to be happy in life, he needs to play football. He needs to go to Notre Dame. But he doesn't have the grades to get in. We see Rudy do everything in his power, for several long semesters, to gain admission to the prestigious school.

But getting into Notre Dame isn't his only problem. Once in, he has to get on the team no mean feat for someone who, in the words of the maintenance man Fortune (Charles S. Dutton), is "five-foot nothin', a hundred and nothin'," and has "no speck of athletic ability." And even after he's on the team, there's no guarantee that he'll actually get to dress for a game. In the end, however, the results of Rudy's persistence and hard work are more than he could ever have imagined.

"Rudy" is a touching true story of the power of hope and hard work. It is a football movie, but it is also so much more than that. Rudy's steadfastness is very moving to see, and Sean Astin captures the character beautifully. I think this is Astin's best performance, transcending even Samwise Gamgee in "The Lord of the Rings" (it's a close call though). The supporting cast members are just as perfectly fitted to their roles. Charles S. Dutton turns in a great performance as Fortune, ultimately Rudy's best mentor, and Robert Prosky plays Father Cavanaugh, the priest at Notre Dame who offers Rudy a chance to improve his grades at a nearby junior college, whereby he just might have a shot at admission.

The soundtrack to the film is perfectly fitted. It puts the final cap on many an emotional scene. This Special Edition DVD offers an isolated music score, letting you listen to the music alone. The DVD has some other nice bonus features as well: "Rudy: The Real Story" is a short documentary on the real Rudy Ruettiger, with commentary from the man himself. It is touching to see Ruettiger talk about his experiences, and one can see that Sean Astin did a magnificent job conveying him to the screen. There is also a "Production" featurette, briefly outlining the making of the movie, and finally "60 Seconds With Sean Astin" features the actor giving us some quick commentary on the film. There are also Talent Files on the director and actors.

"Rudy" is one of the most inspirational sports movies I've ever seen. The fact that it is a true story makes it all the more amazing. If you enjoy films like "Remember the Titans" (with Denzel Washington), you'll love "Rudy" (and if you like "Rudy" but haven't seen "Remember the Titans," I recommend that one as well). This is a wonderful movie for anyone, whether you're a football fan or not (I'm not). It is emotional and moving, but never goes over the top. I can't imagine it having been done any better. "Rudy" is a must-see, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

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Christopher Nolan Director's Collection (Memento / Insomnia / Batman Begins / The Dark Knight / Inc

The Christopher Nolan Director's Collection is one of those fabulous Blu-ray sets that very few people will actually need. Nolan is a genius to be sure, but it's hard to imagine that most DVD collectors don't already have one or more of these terrific films. All of the Blu-ray releases in this set are just repackaged versions of what has been available previously, there is NO new actual disc content. Due to licensing reasons, the collection does NOT include Nolan's first film "Following" (rumored to be a potential Criterion release) or "The Prestige." This is still an awesome group of five films, all of which look great in Blu-ray. If you don't own them, this comes with the highest recommendation. As most are familiar with the movies themselves, I will limit my comments to what is included in this item's contents.

In addition to movies, the set has the following exclusive content: 10 Collectible Photo Cards, 40 Page Photo Book and an (up to) $8.00 Movie Cash Credit to see "The Dark Knight Rises" in theaters.

The box has five movies over 7 discs. All of the Bonus Features are from the original releases, but I'll include them here as a reference point.

1) Memento (2000): Here you get the more comprehensive release that was put out for the film's tenth anniversary. Bonus Features include "Remembering Memento" (a 10-year anniversary look back on the making of the film), "Anatomy of a Scene," IFC Interview with Writer/Director Christopher Nolan, Audio Commentary with Director Christopher Nolan, "Memento Mori" (Short Story by Jonathan Nolan), Feature Script, Tattoo Gallery, and Leonard's Journal.

2) Insomnia (2002): Bonus Features include an additional scene, Commentary by Nolan, Commentary by Hilary Swank, production designer Nathan Crowley, editor Dody Dorn, cinematographer Wally Pfister and screenwriter Hillary Seitz. There are four featurettes: Day for Night: Making The Movie, 180 Degrees: A Conversation with Nolan and Al Pacino, In the Fog: Cinematography and Production Design, and Eyes Wide Open: The Insomniac's World.

3) Batman Begins (2005): Bonus Features that include MTV's Tankman Begins spoof, The Journey Begins: Creative Concepts, Story Development and Casting, Shaping Mind and Body: Christian Bale's Transformation into Batman, The Tumbler: Reinvention of the Batmobile, Gotham City Rises: Production Design of Gotham City, the Batcave, and Wayne Manor, Saving Gotham City: Development of Miniatures, CGI, and Effects, Genesis of the Bat, Confidential Files, Cape and Cowl: The New Batsuit, Path to Discovery: Filming in Iceland, and Character/Weaponry gallery.

4) The Dark Knight (2008): This is two discs with Bonus Features that include Gotham Uncovered: Creation of a Scene, BD-Live: An Interactive Gateway to Exclusive Content, Batman Tech: Gadgets and Tools, Batman Unmasked: The Psychology of The Dark Knight, Gotham Tonight: 6 episodes of Gotham Cable's premier news program, and the Galleries: The Joker Cards, Concept Art, Poster Art, Production Stills, Trailers and TV Spots.

5) Inception (2010): This is two discs with Bonus Features that include an Extraction Mode Describing The Film's Signature Moments, Dreams: Cinema of the Subconscious, The Cobol Job: Comic Prologue in full animation and motion, 5.1 soundtrack selections from Hans Zimmer's score, Conceptual Art, Promotional Art, and Trailer/TV Spot Galleries. KGHarris, 6/12.

Christopher Nolan is, by far, the greatest director of all time in my opinion. I love all of his movies but because my brother is moving out and taking all of these with him I was looking for a chance to buy them for myself. This box set is a great start to get back all my treasured Nolan films. But let's give a quick rundown.

MementoMy favorite movie of all time. Most unique directing ever. 10/10

Inception2nd favorite movie of all time. One of the best concepts of all time. 9.5/10

Batman BeginsGreat movie. Love Cillian Murphy as scarecrow. Very well done. 8/10

The Dark KnightBest Batman flick ever. Joker is fantastic and so is the rest of the movie. 9/10

InsomniaNot written by Nolan, just directed, and it shows. But who doesn't love Robin Williams as a killer? 7.5/10

All this for $25? I'm in. The only gripe about this box set is no Prestige! I would have much rather of had that then Insomnia. Also need to get Following and Dark Knight Rises. But, like I said, this is a great start.

UPDATE: Just got in in and thought I would review the packaging. It is a hardcover box and the front flips open to the left which reveals screenshots from the inside. All the movies are individually packed with their own bluray cases on the right inside (Dark Knight and Inception come with an extra disc of bonus features). They slide out along with a art book with summary's of the movies a a few quotes from the cast and lines from the movies as well as a collection of screenshot cards from the movies (some really cool ones in there such as a closeup of scarecrow). I would say it has some pretty awesome packaging.

Buy Christopher Nolan Director's Collection (Memento / Insomnia / Batman Begins / The Dark Knight / Inc Now

This set includes 5 Movies from director Christopher Nolan:

Memento

Insomnia

Batman Begins

The Dark Knight

Inception

Each blu-ray is identical to the previous individual release in terms of video/audio quality and bonus features.

In total, this is a 7-Disc set (both "The Dark Knight" and "Inception" have two discs).

This set includes these exclusive bonus items:

10 collectible Art Cards

Booklet containing info/photos from Nolan's films

Outer box (measures approx. 7 x 5.5 x 3.5 inches will fit on standard blu-ray/DVD shelf)

** As a director, Nolan has made three other films to date: "Following", "The Prestige", and "The Dark Knight Rises", but these are not included in this box set.

Read Best Reviews of Christopher Nolan Director's Collection (Memento / Insomnia / Batman Begins / The Dark Knight / Inc Here

Perfect got in for less than $30.00. Inception alon made it worth it. They should have also added The Prestige on this one.

Great movies as with nolan's movies I love the twist and turns.

Want Christopher Nolan Director's Collection (Memento / Insomnia / Batman Begins / The Dark Knight / Inc Discount?

This are all essential Blurays from ANY collection, and the fact that they are all packaged together and for $30 you'd have to be crazy to not get it!

BUY THIS NOW!!

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A View to a Kill (James Bond) (1985)

A viewer below mentioned how the scene where Roger Moore carries Tanya Roberts out of City Hall reminded him of a time when heroes were heroes. I could not agree more. "A View to a Kill" is not the best film out there, I admit, but to me, it is more than just a movie. It marks the end of the genre of the classic Hollywood hero. There are heroes today, but those actors also do comedies, dramas, and other types of movies. Roger Moore is the truly the last cinematic hero. Some of his films are not perfect (nobody's are), but his name alone is associated with action and adventure. You see his name in the credits, and you know that you're in for some sort of spectacle. For me, Roger Moore belongs up their with the likes of Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Guys like Pierce Brosnan and Nicholas Cage are good, but I know they're acting. Moore was a natural. He was the last actor that you believed WAS the character. They don't make them like that anymore. That's why I love "A View to a Kill." Not so much for its content, but for what it is.

When I first saw this film on its initial release I didn't know what to make of it. It seemed like it got its inspiration from GOLDFINGER and Ian Fleming's Bond novel MOONRAKER. However, it was like a jumble of everything thrown up in the air and played out in the order in which they landed. Actions just seem to turn on a dime in this film. For example: Bond is being chased down an ice-covered slope by Soviet troops in Siberia all to an exciting John Barry score. This is an excellent scene. A gattling gun mounted on a Soviet helicopter blows the ski mobile right out from under Bond. He picks himself up, grabs the runner from the ski mobile and begins to ski board down the slope this time to the musical accompaniment of the Beach Boys' "California Girls." What happened to John Barry's score? The scene and all its dramatic tension are destroyed, yet it seems to work much better today, 21 years latter.

The film looked a bit sloppy. The stunt doubles are not always matched to Roger Moore very professionally. His hair colour seems to go from brown to straw to red. In one scene when Bond is chasing May Day through Paris in a borrowed taxi, there is one camera shot where you can see that it is definitely not Roger Moore. The fight scene where Bond and Sir Godfrey wrap up some of Zorin's guards in the warehouse has to rank at the bottom of the series. The editing couldn't even salvage it.

However, your heart kind of went out for Roger in this one. He didn't have a good outing in this picture and it being his last Bond film, he perhaps deserved better. There were a few memorable scenes that do make this film a good one. After Bond is chased into the woods on horseback and is captured, Bond tells Zorin that there will be retaliation if they kill him. "You amuse me Mister Bond," says Zorin with indifference. "The feeling's not mutual," responds Bond. After that scene I was hoping that Bond would really put this fellow out of his misery. The one image that remains with me from this film is when Bond carries Stacey on his back climbing down the fire truck ladder rescuing her from the burning City Hall. As corny as that scene may have looked it hearkened back to a time in films when heroes really were heroes. Roger did a fine job during his tenure.

After Bonds have come and gone through the years A VIEW TO A KILL somehow still entertains more with each passing year.

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The extras are very good. I like the cut scene in the police station. The music video is outstanding.

A VIEW TO A KILL is Roger Moore's last James Bond film and it is one of his best. It is the pinnacle of Roger Moore's irony and contradiction to the James Bond established by Sean Connery and brought to fruition by George Lazenby. Here Roger Moore gives greater depth to James Bond than we have ever seen making his performance one of the most endearing. Guy Hamilton established this approach with GOLDFINGER and honed it with his excellent THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, which was a mixture of action and absurdity at its best.

A VIEW TO A KILL is the most luxurious looking Bond movie. Zorin's magnificent palace and stables are the type of cinematic refinements found in GOLDFINGER, THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, MOONRAKER and OCTOPUSSY. Zorin along with Scaramanga, are the best villains of the series. Zorin's a real psycho. May Day, Zorin's right hand, gives a real twisted performance right out of the outrageous 80's.

The opening pre-title sequence is one of the best. Bond is being chased down an ice-covered slope by Russian troops in Siberia to an exciting John Barry score highlighted by the Beach Boys' "California Girls" while he escapes on a ski mobile runner turned ski board. This is an excellent scene full of action and laughs. The Beach Boys' "California Girls" was a stroke of genius. John Barry really knows how to score a Bond movie!

The getaway in a mini sub disguised as an iceberg was another stroke of genius. I was on the edge of my seat. Duran Duran's opening main theme is the best of the series. It was even better than Lulu's THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN. Maurice Binder's main titles were his best since THE SPY WHO LOVED ME.

This film is just so great. Roger Moore looks young at heart in this one. I never saw him move better. I think these are the most stunts that he ever did in any Bond movie. The fight scene in Zorin's warehouse was one of his best. I like the way he lays out the guard on the conveyor belt and gets automatically wrapped like a corrugated carton.

The steeplechase scene was also great and real suspenseful. I didn't know that Roger could ride a horse like that. When he breaks away into the woods that was really well filmed just like the similar scene in MOONRAKER.

The Eiffel Tower scene where Bond is chasing May Day through Paris in a stolen taxi, is one of the greatest scenes in the series. It was so amusing. When Bond's taxi gets cut in half I thought he was done for. However, he keeps up with her and manages to crash a wedding on a moving barge. Crazy stuff! This kind of thing is what made the 80s so great!

Q had some of his best scenes in this film. The microchip briefing in M's office was good and reminiscent of MOONRAKER and OCTOPUSSY. I liked Q's surveillance machine. That was very innovative. It was also good to see Bond, Moneypenny and M all at the races. General Gogol had some good scenes too. I like when he puts the cassette in the player in his car and it starts playing the Japanese Spa music. That was really funny.

The underwater scenes in this film were excellently filmed. I was holding my breath when Bond taps the tire of the sunken Rolls for air. That was very innovative. Zorin's San Francisco pumping station was also done well. When Bond was underwater I thought for sure he was going to get sucked in by those propeller blades.

The sets in this movie were great. The interior of Zorin's airship was very reminiscent of GOLDFINGER and DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. Zorin's mine was one of the best sets from the entire series. Just like SPECTRE, Zorin eliminates undesirables just like they were terminated similarly in THUNDERBALL and YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.

Stacey was the best Bond girl since Mary Goodnight. You really feel for her. I almost thought Bond was going to leave her in the elevator shaft the way she was screaming. Bond saves her just in time. She was also great in the fire engine chase and the ultimate battle between Bond and Zorin on top of the Golden Gate Bridge.

This film has it all: action, suspense, humor, laughs, terror, set designs, great underwater scenes, car chases, an great John Barry score and one of Roger Moore's best performances.

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All in all, I'd have to say that this was a below-average Bond film. The girl, Stacy Sutton (Tanya Roberts) threatened to singlehandedly bring the entire movie down herself. She is easily the least interesting off all the Bond girls (a geologist who works at city hall? Pul-Leeeze!), and she did a very poor acting job to boot.

Still, I can't help having a lot of fun every time I watch this. Stacy aside, all the characters are interesting (Zorin, MayDay, Jenny Flex). This film goes all over the place: the Eiffel Tower, aristocratic England, diving scenes, horse races, mining scenes, the Golden Gate Bridge, and finally a blimp (emblazoned with the famous "Zorin" logo of course)!

It's so off the wall that it works. Roger Moore is hitting on girls a third of his age (of course from the looks of it he was 93 when he made this one), there's action all the time, and a far-fetched but interesting plot.

There are many better Bond movies than this, but somehow this is one that I like to watch quite a bit. I really can't defend my liking this, I just do!

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A View to a Kill is my all time favorite Bond movie. I think Roger Moore gives a great performance in his last Bond film. ...The pre-title ski scene is magnificent, probably my favorite out of all.

The best thing out of this whole movie is Max Zorin's main method of transportation is by blimp, a very interesting aircraft. Very interesting when involved in the finale action scene. Also I must say i was very fond of Zorin's head of security, Scarpine, played by Patrick Baucheau.... One last thing about this movie is that I think it has the best music out of all the Bond films especially what they play during action scenes.

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Deathship

Scorpion Releasing continues with their next exciting genre release, this time a real classic in the form of a lesser known violent ghost story at sea, Death Ship.

Featuring the always welcome George Kennedy (whom would go on to further 80s horror fare see the excellent Just Before Dawn) and the ever familiar Richard Crenna, this is a very original horror movie which tells the tale of a group of shipwrecked survivors that happen upon a rusted out old abandoned ship from the 1930's. They go aboard, as it seems like a chance for survival from the open sea, but they soon realize they are in far more danger on the Death Ship!

While low on atmosphere, this film still does have some and it's effective. The Nazi element is unsettling and gives cause to the paranormal violence that the survivors have to face. There is a quite memorable scene with the beautiful Victoria Burgoyne in the shower, when a large amount of blood ruins her day. Pretty awesome.

Filming a horror movie on the open sea is always an effective way to set up tension, as established early on with Jaws and other films ad nauseum. However, with Death Ship there is an extra sense of dread in that this time the threat is of a paranormal nature AND you cannot escape because there is still the threat of being lost at sea. In other words, where it lacks in atmosphere Death Ship makes up for in overall dread and fear. Plus, you get a decidedly dark performance from George Kennedy than you are probably used to. Overall though a really great "haunted-house-on-a-boat" spook fest that boasts some cool practical effects and decent scares. Definitely a midnight movie.

I have not seen the DVD so cannot compare I have the Blu Ray, and it looks excellent. Death Ship was a great choice for Scorpoin Releasing's first Blu Ray release.

On a side note, while not advertised on the cover this time, Death Ship is the latest film to be released under the Katarina's Nightmare Theater line of genre horror releases. It contains both the regular film and the version that she opens and closes. She is silly and charming as usual.

Great buy for 70s/80s horror enthusiasts.

DEATH SHIP is not GHOST SHIP. GHOST SHIP is a game. DEATH SHIP is real.

This is one of my favorite of the horror movies they used to show on Saturday afternoons when I was a kid. I have such fond memories of it that I bought the original movie poster a few years back. I've worn my VHS to a thin strip and I'm so glad that it now has a proper remastered DVD release, but I'm almost worried about seeing a cleaned up, sharper version! The "original", shown-on-TV copy I grew up seeing was so distorted and darkened that you could barely see the ash covered walls in the interior of the ship. Like NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, something about the poor duplications of the film seemed to make it better more seedy more disturbing. Regardless of my nostalgia, I'm sure the remastered version won't disappoint...

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i first saw deathship in a cinema back, somewhere in the late 1970's. i love haunted ship and train movies and, i have seen alot of them! deathship is hands down the BEST of them!

george kennedy prformances of the "bipolar" captains is some of the acting of his career.

sorry folks, i'm not giving away any spoilers to this damn good movie.

folow up deathship by seeing the thai movie deathtrain... you will be so overjoyed that you did so!

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This is one of my favorite movies of the 1970's/1980's horror era. It is original, has a well-known cast of good actors and is scary without all the gags, gore and dumb naked bimbos that many of today's so-called horror movies rely on. The physical appearance and atmosphere of the German death ship is enough to give you the creeps. This remastered version has a nice clear picture which is a pleasure as some of the older movies have not been offered in DVD's of decent quality. There is a bonus feature that translates the German that is spoken by the former occupants of the ship into English so you know what is being said during these scenes. I found this helpful but it sort of took away from the creepiness of having to guess what the voice is saying. You know how leaving something to the imagination can be more visceral than if it is actually presented. Either way if you like a good, old fashion horror flick than don't miss this one. I have watched this movie many times and always get something more from each viewing. Death Ship is a winner and not to be confused with the mediocre Ghost Ship from a few years back.

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Deathship is a classic example of how to use atmosphere and suspense to keep an audience on the edge of their seats. Deathship is about a ship that is haunted by it's former crew, Nazis. The movie does an excellent job of being scary and suspenseful without using a whole of F/X. Something todays movies use too much off.

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The Man from Nowhere (2010)

WATCH THIS MOVIE!

Won't ruin it for you, but the basic premise is that someone gets kidnapped and this bad a@@ guy saves her. AWESOME! But not for little kids to watch as there is ALOT of violence and a lot of profanity. Action, Action, Action!

One of the best Korean movies that I have EVER SEEN. Won Bin is great in this movie and I have found a new found respect for the guy.

The theme song for the movie is by a Korean band called Mad Soul Child and it's called Dream...awesome song as well.

Riveting, pulse-pounding action and drama. "The Man From Nowhere" is simply magnificent!

The winner of seven Korea Film Awards (the most awards ever received for a film in Korea) and multiple awards worldwide, the 2010 film "The Man From Nowhere" will be released on Blu-ray and DVD in the US on March 8th!

"The Man From Nowhere" was written and directed by Jeong-beom Lee ("Cruel Winter Blues") and stars popular Korean actor Won Bin ("Guns & Talks", "Mother", "Taegukgi", "My Brother").

VIDEO:

"The Man From Nowhere" is presented in 1080p High Definition and is presented in 16:9 widescreen. The picture quality of this film is absolutely wonderful as grime, blood and scars can be seen with detail on the characters. You can see the detail of the suit and clothing of various people, including the buttons on their clothing.

It's important to note that this is a bloody film known for its spectacular knife fight and its violence but by no means is it sadistic in a horror-film type of way.

While a film that does showcase a lot of black and does take place during the nighttime, during the day-time scenes or neon-light club scenes, you do see the vibrant colors. As for the action sequences, no blurring or any interlacing. I saw no compression artifacting, DNR or any significant visual problems. A pretty solid release PQ-wise from Well Go USA.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

"The Man From Nowhere" is presented in Korean and English 5.1 DTS-HD Surround Sound. While there is an English dub version of the film, I do not listen to English dubs for live action Asian films and prefer to watch the film in its original language, Korean dialogue with English subtitles. So, I can't comment on the quality of the English dub for this film.

But as for the lossless audio, the dialogue is clear and there are a good amount of action scenes with car chases, car crashing, gunshots and action-sequences which can be heard through the surround channels. While not a film that does have repetitive action that utilizes the surround sound and LFE to create an immersive soundscape, the lossless audio fits this film quite well and is pretty much crystal clear.

The only audio that sounds distorted is the special features but overall, the film sounds great in HD on Blu-ray!

SPECIAL FEATURES:

"The Man From Nowhere" comes with the following special features in standard definition:





Teaser (1:08) A teaser trailer for "The Man From Nowhere"

Full Trailer(1:42) The original theatrical trailer for "The Man From Nowhere".

Highlights (5:11) A feature that focuses on the important scenes between Cha Tae-sik and So-mi.

Making Of (17:23) The making of the action-based sequences. No dialogue but pretty much we can see how those scenes were created with the talent and the crew around them.

EXTRAS:

"The Man From Nowhere" comes with a slipcover case.

JUDGMENT CALL:

I have been highly anticipating to watch this movie. Having heard how it won all these awards in Korea and the fact that I have seen a good number of Korean films and very good ones that never won as many awards as "The Man From Nowhere", you can't help but think that this film must be special.

And after watching it, I can definitely say that this film was truly one of a kind. Stepping away from typical gangster or revenge films by focusing on the characters but also delivering in the action.

I have watched Won Bin grow from Korean dramas and seeing him become a film star, but "The Man From Nowhere" is a film where he truly shines and what best than to have a story where you play this character that seems quite stoic but then seeing him as an individual with emotions that he has dragged on all these years because of a tragic circumstance.

Also, the film does shed some light on the underground of Korea (which also happens in other countries of Asia) and where this film could have truly been hampered by terrible child acting, young actress Kim Sae-ron who plays So-mi, does it with so much emotion and adds to the film's efficacy.

And while the dramatic portions are well-done, you have or will probably read how "The Man From Nowhere" has one of the best knife fighting scenes in a film. As some Asian cinema fans may be used to seeing in samurai films with sword vs. sword battles, "The Man From Nowhere" is just impressive with its fight choreography that I was amazed. There is no cheapening of the scenes, you are made to feel that the fight scenes look at feel right and never come out feeling disappointed by the results.

This is classic planning and excellent execution when it comes to the action and in balance with great performances, well-written dramatic elements, "The Man From Nowhere" was just magnificent to watch and I enjoyed this film extremely.

Granted, it is bloody and it is violent but the violence are nothing compared to a slasher, horror film, so it's easily tolerable and not scary at all. But if you are sensitive to bloody violence, this film may not be for you. But if you are open to it, this film delivers in riveting, pulse-pounding action and drama. "The Man From Nowhere" is simply magnificent!

So far, Well Go USA has delivered with its Blu-ray release of "Ip Man" and now with "The Man From Nowhere" and with the Asian films that they brought to the U.S. thus far, I'm excited to see what other films they tend to bring in the near future.

Overall, there is really nothing for me to complain about this Blu-ray release. Granted, I wish there were more special features and wish the features were in HD but other than that, "The Man From Nowhere" is a film that I can easily give my highest recommendation.

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Random acts of kindness make a `good action picture' into a `great action picture' with THE MAN FROM NOWHERE

South Korea's mega-popular THE MAN FROM NOWHERE was successful for very good reasons, so many that there's no way I could touch upon all of them in a single review. Suffice it to say that it's an action picture whose formula is broad enough to appeal to men (once the action starts, there's never a dull moment), women (there's a strong through-line about caring for society's lost children), male teens (who wouldn't want to be as coolly quiet as the film's lead), and female `tweens' (I've been assured by ladies that star Bin Won is very `easy on the eyes'). If that winning combination isn't enough, then add to the mix the social messages and perhaps a metaphor on "random acts of kindness" and it's no wonder that the film was a huge hit overseas.

Bin Won stars as Tae-sik Cha, who, quite literally, is the film's "man from nowhere." As our story opens, he's seen doing his best to blend into the landscape, buying some sausage to eat in his small apartment. He's treated like anyone on the street who has his slightly disheveled appearance: mostly ignored but slightly suspect due to his unkempt guise. Arriving back home where he runs a pawnshop shop out of his apartment in a quiet, rundown tenement building (the place looks much like he does), he meets the young So-mi hiding in the darkness at the bottom of the stairs. We soon learn that they're begrudging friends (of sorts), with Cha not taking any responsibility for the young girl (whose mother has essentially abandoned her to a life on the streets) but feeling tied to her more as the only responsible adult in her life.

But So-mi's mother is guilty of more than being a bad mother. In an attempt to make a big score selling drugs, she's stolen a small supply from the wrong people; and, when they show up looking for the stash, they're more than happy to take So-mi off the woman's hands because there's a big demand for black market body parts. Who would miss one more deserted child?

The mob never counted on Tae-sik Cha.

Truth be told, Cha is a former government assassin, living a life of self-imposed exile after seeing his wife killed by one of his former enemies. Now that he genuinely has nothing to lose, Cha realizes the only tether keeping him in this world is the young So-mi, so he makes it his personal mission to get her back alive no matter the cost.

The story doesn't stop there, and the plot is developed on several layers. There are competing mobs vying for control of the city's drugs and prostitutes, as well as the supply of human body parts, and, of course, the police can't be far behind. What unfolds is an incredible tale of one man's spirit sinking to the depths of despair and rising to the challenge when he realizes that no one else not the government, not the police, not anyone is willing to do what's absolutely necessary to bring down the thugs who snatched So-mi away from her sad life.

There's action a'plenty, and, in several daring twists of direction, not all of it takes place on scene. In fact, Cha's opening salvo against one of the heavies who shows up looking for the stolen drugs doesn't even appear on screen; cleverly, we're only shown a window shattering from outside, and when the camera is back on Cha's apartment, the heavy is out cold on his kitchen floor. Director Jeong-beom Lee clearly knows when to "play the action" and when to pull it back, providing the audience with sufficiently masterful hints as to what happened where we couldn't see. The film remains taut throughout, right up until what is, arguably, one of the most incredible knife fights you'll see on film EVER. I'm not talking samurai swords. I'm not talking fencing. I'm talking down-n-dirty knife fights. Watch closely because you won't forget this choreography any time soon.

Still, what surprised me most about THE MAN FROM NOWHERE isn't so much its penchant for violence, for which there's plenty but decidedly necessary given the circumstances. What surprised me was the underlying message about hidden acts of kindness. The story sprinkles them throughout Cha allows the neglected So-mi to share a meal with him; So-mi gives Cha a funny little manicure while he's asleep; a kindly old store clerk who turns his head the other way so that the streetwise youth can shoplift some meaningless merchandise; So-mi puts a bandage on an injured killer's forehead cut; a grizzled police detective who grants Cha a parting wish so much so that I can't help but think that they're all deliberate. Each and every one of these moments is crafted in such a way to deliver a happy message in a film rife with grim elements: you will be repaid for that random act of kindness. You will reap benefits from doing something good for strangers. Your reward may not come instantly, and it probably won't announce itself with any pomp and circumstance, but it'll be there, and you'll know it when you see it.

That's the hidden beauty of THE MAN FROM NOWHERE. The gift of such a great film is far from hidden. It's right there when you see it laced with gunplay and plenty of derring-do but you can't escape it.

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first off, I would like to compliment the action of the movie. It's pure real-time action with no grand hollywood effects. And it is more bad-ass and breathtaking than any other hollywood effects can ever achieve to be. It is definitely gory though, but not to the extent that it is unrealistically exaggerated. Apparently the types of action used in this movie were martial arts from the Southwest Asia, which are rarely seen in movies. So the actions are definitely original. The plot is simple and pretty straightforward, but it is still very remarkable. Basically It is about this misanthrope who ends up confronting the world in order to save his only friend, a neighborhood girl. Unfortunately though, if you are a sharp audience, you might notice some missing links that disconnects the story a little bit. But still, it will only be a minor problem, and most likely you will be so deep into the movie that you probably won't notice any flaws at all. Overall, the movie is thrilling but also has subtle emotional impacts; It can be sad and touching. So this isn't just some mindless action movie. There are lines and scenes that will move you. I say everybody should watch this movie. At least give it a try. It is one of those movies that has no cultural barrier. Whether you are korean, japanese, american, or asian, white, black, brown, w/e, I ensure you that you will enjoy this movie. So this is my rant about the movie. I would give it 5 stars, but I will let you decide whether it deserves 5 stars or not, after you watch it.

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The storyline is pretty straightforward. Ex-special force (or whatever he's supposed to be) guy coming to the rescue of a little girl and basically tearing apart all the bad guys in the process. Korean version of "Man on Fire." But this one is a bit more personal in terms of violence. There are a lot of amazing shots in the movies. Two biggest scenes are where he jumps off from the second story building and last fight scene which involves both the gunfight and knife fight. But it's the knife fighting that's simply amazing. You'll have to see it for yourself.

But after all the blood and violence, the movie comes down to someone who fights for someone who can't fight for themselves. I guess all the guys, deep down inside, have soft spot for a movie like this. The little girl playing in this movie was really solid as well. She made the main character work. It's slow going for the first half of the movie, but you'll be rewarded toward the end. I'm glad that Amazon is carrying this for order.

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